Goldolphin owned Folkswood is hoping to return to winning form on Australian soil in the Group 3 $150,000 Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on Saturday, and jockey James Doyle insists Britain’s veteran stayer is well-suited to the race style down-under.
“He’s a very uncomplicated horse, he can race on-speed or he can sit back and you can ride him cold,” Doyle told RSN’s Racing Pulse on Thursday morning.
Photo Credit: Godolphin.com
Having recently in Australia last November, Folkswood looks to improve on his winning form after winning the $256,000 Millenium Stakes (2000m) in Dubai back in February.
Similar to his race-style versatility, Doyle also feels the six-year old is well-suited to the travel.
“One thing I think he likes to do is travel and I think you can see that in his form book. I’m sure he’s enjoying himself in Melbourne so far” Doyle said.
Folkswood has drawn barrier 15 ahead of Saturday’s race, and as the $6.00 second-elect with Ladbrokes.com.au, speedmaps suggest Folkswood will need some luck down the straight if he hopes to be on pace with $3.50 favourite Night’s Watch.
Darren Weir’s New Zealand import finished third in the Group 2 Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley earlier this month, and hopes to improve after drawing barrier 8 on Saturday.
Speaking of improving, Folkswood also hopes to replicate fellow Godolphin stablemate Home of the Brave’s success after transitioning from Ireland to Australia.
After winning the Group 2 $200,000 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill a fortnight ago, the seven-year old opens as the early $4.20 favourite ahead of the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clark Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield this weekend.
Doyle will be riding alongside on Irish born Jungle Cat in the same race, and feels Home of the Brave was always destined for success in Australia.
“I know him very well,” Doyle told RSN.
“I see he’s drawn a little bit wider than me at 10, he’s a horse I felt would always do very well over in Australia, his style of racing, he likes to put himself on the speed.”
For Folkswood, the future appears to hold a start in either the $5 million Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield or the $5 million Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley in late October.
Full Naturalism Stakes odds can be seen below.
